All about jewelry: February 2009

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I've been working with cloisonne a bit; it seems that when I get some cloisonne on the site, it sells (a good thing), but it does make keeping the cloisonne page full difficult. Cloisonne has been around for a long time - supposedly since the Yuan Dynasty in China (approximately 1279 A.D.) although some sources say that it originated in the Middle East and was perfected by the Chinese and the French (in fact, the term cloisonne is French). Little wire filaments (usually gold) are applied to metal then filled in with enamel. The cloisonne can be made with base metal, bronze, copper, brass, gold-plated, goldfilled, or genuine gold, or sterling silver. The cloisons are the spaces or sections within the wire that are filled with enamel, thus making the design. All of the Cluny Grey Cloisonne is on one page: the Cloisonne Jewelry page.

For me the challenge is finding cloisonne with sterling silver filigree instead of gold since sterling silver is very popular now. I've been finding also that much of the silver cloisonne that I've come across tends to be very finely made - usually a bit superior to the gold cloisonne (which is usually gold-plated or goldfilled). The three bracelets that you see here are some of my favorite cloisonne colours mixed with, top, Swarovksi crystals in Dark Indigo AB, the red with a long cinnabar bead and tube "bangles" from Thailand in vermeil, and below with cherry quartz. I've used vermeil and goldfilled components with the cloisonne.

Below are a couple of other pieces I will also be posting soon: a Turquoise Bracelet with the addition of pink chalcedony and pretty lampwork beads of pink and turquoise; a double-stranded Garnet Necklace with a pretty cross pendant with garnets and green and black onyx.

Contest News: Leslie Turtle will be choosing the contest winner of the "Name the Necklace" contest. We've had quite a few entries (customers are sending their entries to the clunygre @ clunygreyjewelry.com address). I will post some of the finalists in the next day or so.

Blogs: Got an honourable mention in Marie Cramp's blog about beginning jewelry-making. She's located in Calgary (why does Canada so appeal to my imagination?) and you'll be hearing more from her, I'm sure. See her blog at: Skye Jewels.

A woman after my own heart: L.L. draws, loves animals (volunteers at her local nature center), has cats, and on top of that, loves Tiffany's and Louis Vuitton! See her blog at Tiaras and Talons.

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[Source: The Jewelry Blog]

Monday, February 23, 2009

Royale Diamond Necklace Set Collection

Masaaki Pearl necklace

Friday, February 20, 2009

Simon G Jewelry

Designer Fine Jewelry To fully understand and appreciate the beauty and the detail of Simon G jewelry, it is essential to be familiar with the passion to design and the desire to create that consumes...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Doris Panos Jewelry

Gold and Diamond Jewelry Inspired by her European heritage, designer Doris Panos has interpreted the best elements of Art Deco, Baroque, Byzantine, and modern jewelry to create a precious metals...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Peter Storm Jewelry

Fine Gold and Gemstone Jewelry Peter Storm grew up with diamonds and observed their power from his earliest days. Peter Storm rings, necklaces, and bracelets are unique and stylish. Sharp angles and...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Talisman Unlimited Jewelry

Gold and Diamond Jewelry Founded by Lisa Ruskin and Michael Pitkow, Talisman Unlimited began at a dining room table in the Spring of 1988. Fifteen years and 42 collections later, their designs are...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Leo Pizzo Jewelry

Couture Italian Jewelry The Italian company LEO PIZZO, run by Sara and Leo Pizzo, has become world famous over the last 30 years, thanks to the creativity and preciseness that distinguish their...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

H. Stern DVF Talisman Collection

Diane von Furstenberg for H. Stern Jewelry Just in time for spring 2009's ethnic trend, Diane Von Furstenberg has once again teamed up with H. Stern to create the Talisman Collection, which uses...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Erica Courtney Jewelry

Gold and Gemstone Jewelry Erica Courtney's passion for creating one-of-a kind jewelry has established her as one of today's most successful high-end jewelry designers. Signature Erica Courtney...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Clogau Welsh Gold Jewelry

Handcrafted Welsh Gold Jewelry Each piece of CLOGAU GOLD jewelry is beautifully handcrafted from solid materials and contains a touch of Welsh gold mined from the mountains of Snowdonia. The ancient...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

AZ Collection Jewelry

Italian Fashion Jewelry The extraordinary pieces from AZ Jewelry Collection are the result of fervent attention to detail, extreme care in the selection of materials, and precision hand finishing....

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Color Story Jewelry

Gold and Gemstone Jewelry Robert Leser began his career in the early 70s as the third generation of a family business now celebrating its 100th year in the industry. Dealing in rough and polished...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Pianegonda Jewelry

Italian Designer Jewelry Franco Pianegonda is the leader, the heart, and the creative mind of a company that is radically changing the rules of luxury jewelry and creating contemporary jewelry that is...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Clogau Welsh Gold Jewelry

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Kwiat Jewelry

Fine Diamond Jewelry For a century, Kwiat has captivated imaginations with breathtaking diamonds and inspired diamond jewelry. Adhering to the techniques passed down from one generation to the next,...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

ABS by Allen Schwartz Jewelry

Designer Fashion Jewelry ABS by Allen Schwartz, the trendsetting Los Angeles-based sportswear and dress company, has developed a fashion jewelry collection that complements the look of its dress and...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Jewelry Bargains at JewelryVortex.com

Diamond Fashion Rings We believe that jewelry is an investment so we pride ourselves on delivering you a quality piece of jewelry, with a retail value twice what you will pay at Jewelry Vortex. We...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

-: recent creations from my bench :-

Fun little pendants in acrylic and sterling silver. These are prototypes so hand-cut. I am enjoying the last little bit of sunshine before I head back to rainy Holland. It's amazing how much the weather affects my mood when I'm trying to be creative... this summer in Australia has been great in that I did lots of drawings and plenty of thinking. I am so close to sharing my new collection with you... just a few more fine tuning xxk

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[Source: Kyoko Hashimoto Jewellery]

Talisman Unlimited Jewelry

Gold and Diamond Jewelry Founded by Lisa Ruskin and Michael Pitkow, Talisman Unlimited began at a dining room table in the Spring of 1988. Fifteen years and 42 collections later, their designs are...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Elizabeth Locke Jewelry

Handcrafted Intaglio Jewelry Elizabeth Locke tirelessly travels the world in pursuit of the uncommon elements that make up her designs: coins from classical Greece and Rome or from forgotten empires;...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Del Gatto Jewelry

Italian Fine Jewelry The Del Gatto Antonio Company was founded at the end of the 19th Century in Torre del Greco. It has been in the shell cameo and coral art for five generations. They use the...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Barry Kronen Jewelry

Vintage-Inspired Gemstone Jewelry Founded in 1986, Barry Kronen Designs has been at the forefront of fashion and jewelry for 20 years. Today, Kronen owns and runs his own manufacturing plant in South...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Monday, February 16, 2009

Necklace Collection

Sunday, February 15, 2009

John Hardy Jewelry 2009

Balinese Fine Jewelry John Hardy traveled to Bali from his native Canada in 1975, and fell in love with the exotic locale. He learned ancient jewelry-making skills from traditional Balinese...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Bez Ambar Jewelry

Fine Jewelry Designer Bez Ambar started his career as an artist from an early age. He moved to London and studied painting and sculpture. He applies his classical artistic training to all his designs,...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Lagos Jewelry

Designer Fine Jewelry In 1977, Steven Lagos founded LAGOS with a vision to create designer jewelry for the modern lifestyle. Today, Lagos is one of the premier luxury brands in the United States. For...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Gucci Jewelry

Fine Italian Jewelry Frida Giannini, Creative Director of Gucci, has a unique talent and passionate disposition that have fueled her rise as an international designer for one of the most recognized...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Valentine's Day 2009 Jewelry

Diamond and Gemstone Jewelry Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to tell someone you truly care about them. When you give the gift of jewelry they can be reminded of your love throughout the whole...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Jewelry Bargains at JewelryVortex.com

Diamond Fashion Rings We believe that jewelry is an investment so we pride ourselves on delivering you a quality piece of jewelry, with a retail value twice what you will pay at Jewelry Vortex. We...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Elizabeth Locke Jewelry

Tacori for Epiphany Jewelry on QVC

Simulated Platinum and Diamond Jewelry Tacori, the legendary fine jewelry designer known for its exquisite platinum designer settings and sparkling diamonds, now offers exquisitely dazzling designs...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Jewelry Bargains at AstleyClarke.com

Fine Designer Jewelry At the Astley Clarke Online Jewelry Boutique, you will find the ultimate edit of the most gorgeous pieces of Contemporary Jewelry from around the world, carefully chosen with one...

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[Source: The Jewelry Weblog]

Colour: Monochromatic or Mixed! CONTEST

I love to read passages that start with "there are two kinds of people in the world..." because of course there never are. But I am still always interested in the way many would divide the world and feel that their choices often reveal a great deal about themselves. So...there are two types of people in the world: those who like great expanses of one colour, with maybe a touch or two of another, the monochromatics, and those who prefer colours many and mixed. Now to show you how ridiculous such a statement is, I will announce that I am both. Of course, to add an element of veracity to the statement, I will say that when I dress, I prefer the monochromatic to the many: no prints, good solid colours that make a statement whether the statement is gentle, muted, loud, or strong. In jewelry, however, I love to mix as you can see from the unusual bracelet below. While I personally prefer to wear the aquamarine bracelet that you see above, I delight in creating and looking at the bracelet below. Circus colours, brightly coloured and patterned lampwork beads, and just a hint of sterling silver - can you hear the colour? It is a cacaphony. The aquamarine bracelet is music, beautiful, but definitely not the 1812 Overture. Debussy?
The last two pictures are of the same ruby necklace. If it were music, what would it be? Send me the name of a piece of music that you think would make a good name for this necklace and win a pair of Swarovski earrings in the colour of your choice!

If you are interested, not just in jewelry but in all types of art, see Best of Artists, a great site that concentrates on art from painting, pottery, and photography to sculpture and jewelry. And yes, yours truly has been listed: see, Best of Artists: Cluny Grey.

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[Source: The Jewelry Blog]